Boiling dishcloths: pros and cons of this old-fashioned cleaning method
Boiling dishcloths - sometimes also called tea towels - is an old-fashioned way of cleaning them. Using high temperatures has always been a popular way to sterilize dishcloths, kill off germs and bacteria and neutralize unpleasant odors.
But how exactly do you sterilize dishcloths by boiling them? And is this always the best way to clean them? Let's find out more about this dishcloth-cleaning technique below:
How to deep-clean dishcloths by boiling them
A word of warning before the off: the only dishcloths suitable for being boiled are those made entirely of cotton. If the fabric of your dishcloths are mixed with other natural or synthetic fibers, they could be damaged by being immersed into boiling water.
What you will need:
- A large pot
- Tongs
- Alcohol or white wine vinegar
How to proceed
- Fill the pot to the three-quarters mark with hot water and bring it to the boil;
- Add 230 ml of vinegar;
- Put in the dishcloths you want to clean;
- Boil for 15 minutes;
- After 15 minutes, remove the dishcloths with the tongs and place them in the sink to cool down completely;
- Once cool, ring out well and hang up to dry.
Pros and cons of boiling dirty dishcloths
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Of course, the combination of vinegar and boiling water helps remove dirt, neutralize germs and bacteria (and any mold spores), and eliminates unpleasant odors. So, when regular washing isn't getting your dishcloths clean, boiling them is an option you can consider.
That said, boiling dishcloths subjects them to considerable "stress" and shortens their lifespan. This means that you need to be judicious about using this cleaning technique, using it only when other washing methods are not producing the results you want.
Of course, boiling dishcloths takes time and, unlike the washing machine, you need to keep an eye on the pot while it's boiling away. Further, it takes more time waiting for the dishcloths to cool down before you can safely handle them without the risk of getting scalded.
Another recommendation: instead of using vinegar, some recommend using a small amount of bleach. But take note, never to mix vinegar and bleach together and be advised that bleach fumes (given off by the boiling process) can pose a health risk. Boiling dishcloths in 100% water will neutralize germs and bacteria, but will not remove all the dirt. For deep-cleaning, you need to add vinegar (or bleach), or first wash your dishcloths using a regular detergent before boiling them.
Have you ever tried doing this?
